FAQs

Why transfer videotape or film to DVD?

VHS tapes and film degrade over time much faster than people realize. The plastic tape in VHS tapes is coated with magnetized iron oxide. The heads of the VHS players wear on the tape every time the tape is played and, even if the tape sits on the shelf, the magnetic coating becomes brittle after 10-15 years causing dramatic deterioration of the quality.

Film is also made of plastic tape with a chemical coating and, after a few years, the film become brittle and may no longer feed through a projector.

Our digital remastering process converts your videotape and film to DVD preserving your priceless memories and family history for yourself and future generations.

DVDs offer many advantages including:

• No rewinding
• Interactive menus and chapter points, along with subtitles and music, allow you to skip from one scene to another quickly and easily.
• Quick forward/reverse scanning and searching
• Outstanding video and sound quality
• More space efficient than videotapes
• 100+ years of shelf life
• No degradation in quality either on the shelf or in the DVD player
• Can be viewed on portable DVD players, Television and computers

What is a DVD?

DVD is the newest generation of consumer video storage technology, providing high capacity and high quality sound and video. While DVDs are similar to CD’s (Compact Disks), they have 8 to 10 times more storage capacity. The video quality of DVD is dramatically better than VHS, providing a much sharper and more detailed picture.

DVDs provide the ability of creating “chapters” of the content allowing you to skip to the scenes you want to watch by simply clicking the MENU or Navigation buttons on your DVD player’s remote, and eliminating the frustration of the fast-forward/stop/play routine you must do with VHS to find the scenes you are interested in watching.

What formats do you accept for transfer to DVD?

We accept all formats. With our specialized equipment we can digitize photographs, scrapbooks, and even your important documents. We can also transfer and convert cassette tapes, CD’s, Betamax tapes, reel-to-reel tapes, and music vinyl records.

How much footage can I fit on a DVD?

We can digitally re-master up to 2 hours of high quality video from your tape or film. For more than 2 hours of video we will create additional DVDs.

Can I convert photographs and slides to DVD?

Absolutely! With our Photo Package service we create themed DVD Photo Albums using your selected photographs and slides.

What can I do with my digital pictures?

With our Digital Photo Package service we can put your digital photos on DVD or CD and create themed Digital Photo Albums.

What is your turn-around time?

While our goal is to process your order within 7 to 10 days, the processing time depends on the complexity of your order and on the format of your source material. Highly customized orders may take 2 to 3 weeks to process.

How can I be sure that the DVD plays in my DVD player?

We follow DVD-R standards when creating your DVD, and our DVDs are compatible with most players on the market today. We require that you specify the DVD player and model you have, so that we can check for compatibility. To find out if your DVD player is compatible with DVD-R, please visit http://www.vcdhelp.com/dvdplayers.php.

Can I add music to the DVD?

Yes. When we fill out your work order you can provide the music and specific instructions on the scenes where you want us to insert your music.

How good is the quality of the finished DVD?

The video quality of your finished DVD will be as good as the quality of your original material. The overall quality of your finished DVD depends on the package you selected. The Archive DVD package is a straight-copy and copies the original material exactly. In the Home Movie DVD and the Custom Event DVD the overall quality of your finished DVD will be better because our process will eliminate all blank spaces, and enhance the audio and video with sophisticated noise reduction and color enhancement tools.

What is your Privacy policy?

We respect your right to privacy. The information collected from you is used solely to complete your order and we do not share, rent, or sell any information you provide.

Your videos, photographs, and other material you provide for your order are seen only by the technician fulfilling your order. Once we have verified that your finished DVD meets your requirements and expectations, we will delete the working copies from our specialized computers.

Do you offer pick-and-delivery and discounts?

We strive to provide “personalized” services and, whenever feasible, we will pick up and deliver your material to provide you that little extra peace of mind. We also offer quantity discounts.

I have a VHS tape that contains photographs. Can you create a DVD for me?

Yes. We can create an Archive DVD or a custom Photo Package.

How many photographs or slides can fit on a DVD?

A DVD can hold as many as one thousand photos and slides.